Highland Grace Read Online Free

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CHAPTER 3

    Jesslyn was in the tower larder counting the
number of bags of grain they had in preparation for the Hogmanay feast when the news of Bao’s arrival was given to
her by a kitchen maid who’d been sent in to retrieve her.
    “Tell Laird MacLaurin I shall be in the great
hall in just a moment,” she said to the lass.
    The servant nodded. “Aye, m’lady,” she
replied before turning and scurrying away.
    Jesslyn hurriedly took off the soiled tunic
she’d put on over her silver-blue woolen gown and tried desperately
to realign her veil and filet, stuffing her bedraggled, thick
flaxen braid back under the covering.
    She had yet to make her confessions to the
others, as she’d sworn to herself she’d do this day. Nay, she’d
intended on giving them her admission when they broke their fast
together later in the morn. She’d thought it a good idea to include
her son in the discussion as well; allow him to have his say
amongst the others, as this new babe in her womb affected his life
as well. She knew without being told that he’d be over the moon
with gladness that Bao was the babe’s father, however.
    But now, it seemed, she’d hesitated too long.
For ‘twas vital that she speak with Bao first and find out his true
thoughts on his pending fatherhood before she convey the babe’s
father’s identity to Bao’s family members.
    As she hustled toward the keep, she agonized
over the coming reunion. Had he thought of her at all these past
moons, as she had so often thought of him? Would he be pleased to
see her, or think her a nuisance?
    Oh, God! She pressed her hand over her
pounding heart. What if Daniel had already told Bao that she was
with child before she’d had a moment to speak with him in privy?
Jesslyn doubled her speed, hoping to get to the great hall before
Daniel had had a chance to explain her condition to Bao. She would
discreetly tell Daniel that she did not want him to speak of her
childing state now. That she would prefer that he spoke of it
later, after the family members had had some time to enjoy each
other’s company.
    The family, as well as a very beautiful
raven-haired woman of evident wealth, were already assembled by the
time Jesslyn arrived, but it quickly became clear that Bao had not
been told of her condition as yet, for which Jesslyn gave a mental
sigh of relief.
    She stood in the entryway a moment, the
others not having noticed her arrival as of yet, and stared at Bao.
Her breath caught in her lungs. He had grown more masculine in the
passing moons, it seemed to her. More vividly beautiful. His black
hair, that fell in a straight line down his neck and ended at his
broad shoulders, shone with blue highlights that could be seen even
from across the room. And that massive uisge beatha -hued
frame. The well-thewed chest, the mighty arms, the trim waist.
Fortunately for her thrumming nerve-endings, the green woolen tunic
he wore hid the long, sinewy legs and thighs she knew he possessed,
else she would surely melt into a puddle of desire where she
stood.
    “I’d wondered why I’d not received a reply to
my missive. You must have only just departed Perth when I sent it,”
she heard Maryn say to him.
    He smiled. “Aye, tho’ knowing now that you’d
threatened to bring the family to me would have brought me here to
you in any case.”
    “And why is that? I believe I would enjoy
visiting that town. After all, ‘tis near the abbey at Scone,
where our king was crowned. There must be quite a bit to keep one
entertained there,” Maryn replied.
    “Aye, there is!” Branwenn piped in. “We
simply must make a journey there.” She turned to Daniel and said,
“Can we? Please?”
    For a split second, a look of alarm crossed
Bao’s countenance before he blinked it away, and Jesslyn knew why:
‘twas to do with the other trade in which he was secretly
involved.
    “Have you forgotten my wife’s delicate
condition?” Daniel asked her. “I don’t think a journey will be
likely